Peirsol headed to Olympics again

Steve Virgen

At the turn, Aaron Peirsol could see himself winning. Somewhere in

the distance he could also see Athens, Greece.

Peirsol, the former Newport Harbor High phenom, won the 100-meter

backstroke with the fastest time in the world this year, 53.64

seconds, earning a spot on Team USA Friday at the U.S. Olympics swim

trials in front of 9,411 in Long Beach.

He came within three one-hundredths of a second of the world

record, which is held by Lenny Krayzelburg, the three-time Olympic

gold medalist who finished behind Peirsol in 55.05, most likely

qualifying for the U.S. team.

After the turn, during the final 50 meters of a tightly

competitive field of swimmers, Perisol became determined and

confident he would win the 100 backstroke. With his mentor,

Krayzelburg, gaining on him, Peirsol maintained his goal.

“At that point, I said, ‘No one is taking this from me now,’ ”

Peirsol said. “I felt I had the race under control. I know I could

come back because I was the best comeback swimmer in the race, so I

was really confident.”

After he qualified first for the 100 back final Thursday, Peirsol,

20, said he felt as if he would break the world record Friday.

Winning the race against such a talented field and punching his

ticket to Athens took precedence over missing the world record

(53.60) by less than a second.

“That’s not what I’m thinking about right now,” Peirsol said of

the world record during a press conference shortly after receiving

his gold medal. “Punching the ticket to Athens is a key to a meet

like this. You don’t do that, you don’t have a chance to do anything

in the Olympics. It’s a great night.

“I’m so stoked I’ll be traveling this summer to Greece,” he said

after the press conference. “I get to experience one of the greatest

moments in history, where the Olympics began in Greece. I have never

been to Greece.”

Peirsol, the world-record holder in the 200 back, won the silver

medal in that event at the 2000 Games, finishing behind Krayzelburg.

Peirsol will have a chance to go to the Olympics in two events, when

he will most likely compete in the 200 back final Monday evening.

He wants to hold the world record in both events and said, “I’ll

be gunning for it,” in Athens.

“The more I hang around [the world record] I think the more I’ll

try to beat it next time,” Peirsol said. “I feel like I’m due. I’m

happy I could be that close right now. The summer has just begun.

Maybe I’ll save it for the Olympics.”

Peirsol’s coach, Eddie Reese, also the U.S. Olympic team head man,

said Peirsol will break the world record in the 100 back in Athens.

“I have no doubt he will do it,” Reese said. “I hate to go out on

a limb like that for him, but I’m OK with him. I know he can do it.”

Reese was greatly impressed with Peirsol’s race.

“That was awesome,” Reese said. “That was one of the most

competitive races in the meet. Aaron is a finals swimmer, and what I

mean by that is that he can get ready to go and go out fast in the

finals. At the end of the race when most normal people slow down a

bit, he doesn’t slow down.” In addition to Peirsol and Krayzelburg,

the 100 back final also included Peter Marshall, the 2004 NCAA

champion who finished third in 54.10, as well as Jeff Rouse, the 1992

gold medalist and former world-record holder.

“It’s very humbling to be in a field like that and to come out on

top,” Peirsol said.

With Peirsol edging Krayzelburg, a rivalry was renewed. Though

they both carry a great amount of respect for each other, they put to

the side their friendship when they race.

Outside of the pool, they are both laid back. The only difference

between the two is age, as Krayzelburg is 28.

Perisol, Krayzelburg and Dave Salo, as well as a few other

swimmers in the Olympic trials went out for dinner Monday night.

Peirsol said he sat near Krayzelburg and the two had a light

conversation.

“It was cool,” Peirsol said.

Salo, a former Orange Coast College coach, is Peirsol’s swim club

coach who now works with Krayzelburg. Salo congratulated both

swimmers after the race.

In the water shortly after the race, Peirsol hugged Krayzelburg.

“I was very elated for Lenny,” Peirsol said. “I was so happy for

him.” After Peirsol exited the pool and walked toward the nearby

training area, he hugged his younger sister, Hayley. He also shared a

hug with Gabrielle Rose, a close friend of his.

About an hour later, he received his gold medal. He’s hoping to

win Olympic gold in Athens next month.